Self-aligned dynamic pattern generator device and method of fabrication

ABSTRACT

A dynamic pattern generator (DPG) device and method of making a DPG device are disclosed. The DPG device is used in semiconductor processing tools that require multiple electron-beams, such as direct-write lithography. The device is a self-aligned DPG device that enormously reduces the required tolerances for aligning the various electrode layers, as compared to other design configurations including the non-self-aligned approach and also greatly simplifies the process complexity and cost. A process sequence for both integrated and non-integrated versions of the self-aligned DPG device is described. Additionally, an advanced self-aligned DPG device that eliminates the need for a charge dissipating coating or layer to be used on the device is described. Finally, a fabrication process for the implementation of both integrated and non-integrated versions of the advanced self-aligned DPG device is described.

This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.13/838,453, filed Mar. 15, 2013, the entire contents of which areincorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device design and method offabrication of a dynamic pattern generator device for use inapplications requiring multiple electron-beams such as electron-beamimaging and direct-write lithography. The dynamic pattern generatordevices of the present invention have application in any product orsystem employing electron beams or sources, including: electron-beamimaging; electron-beam lithography; field electron spectroscopy;electron-gun sources; electron-beam sensing; etc. These devices can beimplemented as a single device or as arrays of devices, even very largearrays of devices. The present invention allows large device arrays tobe implemented allowing a multiplicity of individually controlledelectron beams to be created that can be used for high-performance,high-resolution, high-through-put, electron-beam imaging andelectron-beam lithography at a comparatively low cost.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various groups are working to develop an electron-beam direct-writelithography tool technology that uses multiple electron beams ratherthan the present state-of-the-art, which uses only a single electronbeam. This would allow very high resolution lithography made possiblewith direct-write e-beam lithography, but at higher speeds than arepossible with a single electron beam in the present direct-write e-beamsystems.

Electron beam lithography has some distinct advantages for resolvingextremely small feature sizes since the wavelength of an electron beamis small compared to that of optical frequencies. Currently, singleelectron beam lithography is capable of resolving feature sizes down toapproximately 10 nanometers and therefore exceeds the resolution of anycurrently used photolithography platform in the semiconductormanufacturing industry.

However, current electron-beam lithography systems can write using onlya single electron-beam and the time required to write large andcomplicated patterns on the substrate surfaces is exceedingly longcompared to conventional photolithography thereby making e-beamlithography too costly for most production applications.

However, if a multiplicity of electron-beams is used simultaneously todirect write patterns, then the scan rates and substrate through-putsare increased accordingly and e-beam lithography becomes much moreattractive for production applications.

Multiple electron-beam (e-beam) direct-write lithography tools arecapable of performing lithography at the 45 nanometer node with thepotential of scaling the resolved features sizes down to the 32nanometer node and beyond (i.e., 22 nanometer node, 16 nanometer node,11 nanometer node), possibly capable of resolving features to below thatof the level of current e-beam lithographic systems of around 10nanometers.

A key benefit of this tool is the capability to allow the production ofsmall lots of wafers while using state-of-the-art fabricationtechnologies, at low-cost and with quick turn-around times. Part of thecost reduction is that direct-write e-beam lithography does not requirea set of photolithographic masks, which become increasingly expensive asthe feature sizes get smaller. Some important applications often requiresmall numbers of wafers and devices, whether they be microelectronic,MEMS, NEMS, photonic, etc., or some combination therein, and it isfrequently cost prohibitive to produce these devices using the mostadvanced photolithographic technologies in extremely small batch sizesbecause the amortization costs of the photolithographic mask set canonly be spread over a relatively small number of wafers. Moreover, amultiple e-beam direct-write lithography tool can be installed in afoundry to enable affordable production of small lots ofstate-of-the-art nanosystems for a broad spectrum of existing andemerging applications. Additionally, it is expected that a multiplee-beam direct-write lithography tool technology will also find wideapplication in the commercial sector for nanopatterning masks for DUVlithography and templates for imprint lithography, thus defrayingenormous tool infrastructure costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device design and method for thefabrication of a dynamic pattern generator (DPG) device for use inapplications requiring multiple electron-beams such as direct-writelithography. The DPG devices of the present invention have applicationin any product or system employing electron beams or sources, including:electron-beam imaging; electron-beam lithography; field electronspectroscopy; electron-gun sources; electron-beam sensing; etc. The DPGdevices of the present invention can be implemented as a single deviceor as arrays of devices, even very large arrays of devices. The presentinvention allows large device arrays to be implemented allowing amultiplicity of individually controlled electron beams to be createdthat can be used for faster-through-put, high performance,high-resolution electron-beam imaging and electron-beam lithography.

A critical component of one configuration of the multiple e-beamdirect-write lithography tool is the dynamic pattern generator (DPG)device. The DPG device is an array of micron-scale pixels or columns,wherein each pixel is individually addressed. Nominally the array sizeis approximately 256 pixels by 4000 pixels, but the DPG device array canbe made in a variety of sizes depending on the application, writingspeeds, and writing frame size (area) desired. The purpose of the DPG isto modulate the electron beams generated from a thermionic cathode bybiasing particular pixels of the array at either a low negative voltageor at ground potential. When pixels are biased at a low potential, thelocal electron beam is reflected; when pixels are biased at groundpotential, the local electron beam is absorbed at very near zero energy.The patterned, reflected electron beam is then reaccelerated and rotatedby the magnetic prism, de-magnified by a magnetic optical system, andused to directly pattern the resist on the surface of the wafer. The DPGdevice can be integrated on a CMOS substrate to enable individual pixeladdressing, but DPG arrays can also be made on other substrates, such assilicon, and individual pixels can be addressed using off-chipelectronics.

A key element of the present invention is a self-aligned device designand fabrication process for the DPG device wherein the alignmentprecision of the individual electrode layers in the device is nearlyperfect and the fabrication of the DPG device is less complex andexpensive.

Another key element in the present invention is the use of a highresistivity intermediate layer or layers between the electrode layers inthe DPG device that dissipates electronic charges that develop in theDPG columns or pixels of the device array thereby eliminating therequirement of any charge dissipating layer or coating to be depositedin the pixels or columns of the DPG devices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is prior-art system level diagram of an e-beam lithography systemcontaining the DPG device.

FIG. 2 is plan view of a DPG device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a single pixel or column of the DPGdevice with integrated electronics according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a close-up plan view of the DPG device according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional cut-away view of the DPG device accordingto the present invention.

FIGS. 6.a through 6.n are cross-sectional views of an integrated DPGdevice at various stages of the fabrication process according to thepresent invention.

FIGS. 7.a through 7.l are cross-sectional views of a non-integrated DPGdevice at various stages of the fabrication process according to thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a device design and method offabrication of a dynamic pattern generator device for use inapplications requiring multiple electron-beams such as electron-beamimaging and direct-write lithography. The dynamic pattern generatordevices of the present invention have application in any product orsystem employing electron beams or sources, including: electron-beamimaging; electron-beam lithography; field electron spectroscopy;electron-gun sources; electron-beam sensing; etc. These devices can beimplemented as a single device or as arrays of devices, even very largearrays of devices. The present invention allows large device arrays tobe implemented allowing a multiplicity of individually controlledelectron beams to be created that can be used for high-performance,high-resolution, high-through-put, electron-beam imaging andelectron-beam lithography at a comparatively low cost.

A representative system 100 containing a DPG device is illustrated inFIG. 1 and is an illustration of one configuration for a masklessreflection electron beam projection lithographic system. Importantly,other configurations are possible that can also use the DPG device ofthe present invention. An electron gun or cathode 105 generates aplurality of electron beams 120. Upon emission from the cathode 105, theelectron beam 120 is focused using a series of illumination optics 110.The electron beam impinges onto a magnetic prism and separator 130 thatis used to steer the desired parts of the electron beam 120 towards theobjective optics 115. The electron beam 120 passes through the objectiveoptics 115 and is focused onto the dynamic pattern generator device 101.The dynamic pattern generator device 101 is an array of pixel elementsthat modulates the electron beam 120 by impressing onto the electronbeam 120 a two-dimensional pattern desired to be written onto thesubstrate 150, by either reflecting or absorbing the individual electronbeams 120 impinging on each pixel of the DPG array 101.

The reflected elements of the electron beam 120 pass back through theobjective optics 115 and impinge onto the magnetic prism and separator130, which is used to steer the desired elements of the electron beam120 toward the projection optics 140. The electron beam 120 is focusedusing the projection optics 140 onto a wafer or substrate 150 that restson a stage (not shown). The wafer has a photoresist on its surface thatis sensitive to electron beams and thereby the electron beam pattern isimaged onto this photoresist layer so as to impress the desired2-dimensional pattern onto the wafer. The wafer or substrate 150 restson a mechanical stage (not shown) that can precisely move in the x- andy-directions so as to allow the writing of a pattern over the entirewafer or substrate 150 surface.

A plan view of an illustration of the DPG device die 101 is shown inFIG. 2, and a cross-sectional view of a single pixel or column of anintegrated DPG device is shown in FIG. 3. The DPG device active area isin the center 140 of the DPG device die 101 and has an array 140 of DPGpixels or columns 102 wherein each pixel or column 102 is acylindrical-shaped trench 103 in the surface of the DPG device dieactive area 140. The DPG device 101 can be made with microelectronics201 previously fabricated on the substrate for addressing the pixels 102in the DPG device array 140, or alternatively the DPG device 101 can befabricated on a substrate 200 without any active electronic transistors.The DPG device 101 with electronics 201 is called an “integrated DPGdevice,” and the DPG device 101 without electronics is called a“non-integrated DPG device.” Typically, a non-integrated DPG device willuse off-die electronics to address the pixels 102 in the DPG device 101and because of this, the size of the DPG array 140 on the DPG device forthe non-integrated DPG device may have a smaller number of pixels 102.

In the integrated DPG device 101, the microelectronics 201 are locatedunderneath the active DPG device area 140 of the DPG device die 101. Themicroelectronics 201 will have electrical connections 202 between bottomelectrodes 210 of the DPG pixel 102 elements and the underlyingmicroelectronics 201 and these electrical connections 202 will be madeas part of the DPG device 101 fabrication. The microelectronics 201 mayalso have electrical connections to each of the metal electrode layers220, 221, 222, and 223 in the DPG device 101 and these connections maybe made as part of the DPG device 101 fabrication.

Additionally, the microelectronics will have electrical leads 141 thatconnect bond pads 142 on the edge of the DPG device die 101 to themicroelectronics 201 under the DPG active device area 140. It should benoted that the size, format, number of electrical leads, and bond padsshown in FIG. 2 is only illustrative and the numbers for each of thesecan vary depending on the number of pixels 102 in the DPG device array140, the type of microelectronics 201 process used, and other factors.That is, the number of pixels or columns 102 and the size of the activearea 140 in a DPG device die 101 can be increased or decreased asdesired. A larger active area and larger number of pixels or columns 102in a DPG device die 101 provides for the modulation of a larger numberof electron beams 120 and thereby an increased direct writing rate.Conversely, a smaller active area and larger number of pixels or columns102 in a DPG device die 101 provides for the modulation of a smallernumber of electron beams 120 and thereby a decreased direct writingrate.

In the non-integrated DPG device 101, the bottom electrodes and each ofthe highly electrically conductive electrode layers 220, 221, 222, and223 will be electrically connected to bond pads 142 at the edge of theDPG device die 101 using electrical interconnects 141.

The integrated DPG device 101 is fabricated by depositing severalalternating weakly electrically conductive layers 215, 216, 217, and 218and highly electrically conducting layers 220, 221, 222, and 223 on thetop surface of the silicon wafer 200 having previously fabricated CMOSor microelectronics 201 on the substrate surface 200. The DPG devicedesign 102 typically uses four (4) highly electrically conductive layers220, 221, 222, and 223 separated by four (4) weakly electricallyconductive layers 215, 216, 217, and 218 fabricated on top of a basepatterned highly electrically conductive layer 210, but a quantity ofmore or less highly electrically conductive electrode layers as well asa quantity of more or less weakly electrically conductive intermediatelayers may be added or reduced as needed depending on the DPG device 101performance desired. The number of layers required for the intendedapplication is determined by the performance level required and theintended application. More layers in the DPG device 101 allows for afiner resolution of the e-beaming writing capability with the toolsystem 100. A charge dissipating coating or layer 225 is deposited ontothe surface of the device 101.

The DPG devices 101 are fabricated onto CMOS technology substrates 200that contain die nominally sized at 26-mm square although other sizescan be implemented. A top metal layer 210 on the CMOS wafers 200 isnominally formed into a regular array of circular metal pads ˜1.3 to1.4-micron in diameter with a pitch of 1.6-micron although otherdimensions can be implemented as well. Nominally, these pads 210 wouldbe made of Copper although other highly electrically conductive materiallayers will work as well depending on the materials and technologiesused in the microelectronics fabrication process. These highlyelectrically conductive pads 210 are normally protected by a passivationlayer 211 as part of the microelectronics manufacturing process that isremoved from the pad surfaces before fabricating the DPG devicestructure 102. A suitably highly electrically conductive protectionlayer 212 may be included on top of the highly electrically conductivepad 210 to prevent corrosion of this material layer 210 and makeelectrical contact to this layer 210 as needed.

The DPG device structure 102 consists of an array of cylindricaltrenches 103 in a stack of highly electrically conductive and weaklyelectrically conducting materials as described below. The cylindricaltrench pattern 103 is aligned with the pre-fabricated metal pads 210 ofthe CMOS chip 200 using appropriate alignment marks. Each of thesecylindrical trenches 103 and the associated layer stacks and electronicsis called a “pixel” or a “column,” 102 and the DPG device 101 iscomposed of a regular array 140 of these cylindrical trenches 103,comprising individual pixels 102, numbering over 1 Million individualpixels 102 on a 1.6-mm pitch or approximately 6.7-mm by 0.5-mm at thecenter of a 26-mm by 26-mm chip, although other sized arrays anddimension can be implemented as well. A top down view of a few pixels102 of a DPG device 101 is shown in FIG. 4.

A three-dimensional view of a small section of a DPG device 101 showinga perspective of a single pixel is shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the DPGpixel 102 of the DPG device 101 has 3 metal electrode layers, whereasthe DPG pixel 102 shown in FIG. 2 has 4 metal electrode layers. Also,the charge dissipating layer 225 is not shown in FIG. 5.

The array for the DPG device 101 comprises an array of 4375 by 625pixels 102, although other sized arrays 101 can be used as well. TheCMOS electronics 201 for each DPG device 102 in the DPG array 101 has an“active” array of 4096 by 248, although other active DPG array 101 sizescan be used as well. The DPG pixel array 140 may employ “buffer” pixels102 at the edges of the array 140 to mitigate edge effects. The nominalcylindrical trench sizes and material requirements can be found in Table1 in high-level form and in more detailed form in Table 2. Note thatother sized arrays for the DPG devices 101 and other dimensions for theDPG pixels 102 can be used depending on the application and theperformance level required.

All of the highly electrically conductive layers 220, 221, 222, and 223of the DPG device 101 are approximately 100-nm thick, although otherthicknesses can be used and still meet the DPG device 101 requirements.The weakly electrically conductive layers 215, 216, 217 and 218separating the highly electrically conductive layers 220, 221, 222, and223 nominally have a thickness range of ˜0.5 to 1.0 micron depending onthe total number of layers, the device 101 requirements, and the designand tested performance of the DPG device 101, but other thicknesses canbe used.

An Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) conformal charge-dissipating coating225 with a nominal resistivity of >1×10¹⁰ Ohms/sq may be used to coatthe structure including the interior of the cylindrical trenches 103.The purpose of this conformal resistive coating 225 is to make thesidewalls of the cylindrical trenches 103 of the DPG device 101partially conductive. This charge-dissipating coating 225 is used whenthe intermediate layers 215, 216, 217 and 218 separating the highlyelectrically conductive layers 220, 221, 222, and 223 in the DPG device102 material layer stack are made from an electrically insulatingmaterial such as silicon dioxide. It is preferred that the conformalcoating 225 is not deposited or is stripped from the device 101 topsurface; however, this may not be necessary.

The cylindrical trench 103 inner wall and upper surfaces should not haveany material deposits associated with process by-products, accumulatedimpurities, re-deposited matter, and products of layer-to layer chemicalinteraction or from any other sources in the amounts affecting theelectrical or geometry parameters specified above by more than 10%.

Inter-cylindrical trench separating walls 230 of the DPG device 101should not be mechanically damaged. It is desirable that the minimumwall 230 thickness separating cylindrical trenches 103 be as small aspossible (nominally 100-nm although other dimensions are possibledepending on the intended application and performance level required) inorder to maximize the fill factor of the DPG device 101 array 140 butthis is limited by lithography and processing.

The self-aligned approach to the implementation of the self-aligned DPGof the present invention offers critical advantages compared tonon-self-aligned approaches for implementing the DPG device 101.

Specifically, the self-aligned fabrication approach (FIGS. 7 and 8)greatly simplifies the complexity, risk and cost of the fabricationsequence. This is due to the large reduction of the number of expensivehigh-resolution lithography steps to only two, namely for the bottomlayer 210 or 212 and 302 and the top electrode layer 223 and 310 (whichalso serves as the hard mask for the ICP etch), as opposed to 5 or moreexpensive high-resolution lithography steps in the non-self alignedapproach.

Additionally, the self-aligned fabrication approach does not require anychemical-mechanical planarization (“CMP”) step to be performed in theprocess sequence. This is a simplification since CMP is a difficult andrisky process step and also one that is expensive to perform. Incontrast, a non-self aligned fabrication approach requires a CMP to beperformed after each and every weakly electrically conductive layer inthe stack to form the DPG. For a 5-layer DPG device 101, at least 4 CMPsteps would need to be performed in the sequence.

Another benefit of the self-aligned fabrication approach is that iteliminates the need to perfectly align (register) each of the highlyelectrically conductive electrode layers to one another in the entirestack thereby allowing for higher performance DPG devices as well ashigher manufacturing yields and further reductions in fabrication costs.The specification for the alignment of all the holes in the electrodelayers forming the DPG multi-layer stack is 15 nm or less. Thisspecification is relatively easy to meet for the self-aligned approachand nearly impossible to meet with a non-self aligned approach.

To understand why, we need to take this specification and the number oflayers in the DPG device 101 structure that are patterned and calculatethe required registration alignment accuracy of each individualelectrode layer in the device structure using the root-sum-of-squares(RSS) analysis. With a random consecutive error for 5 electrode layers(including the four electrode layers in the DPG device stack plus thebottom DPG electrode) and a quantity of 4 individual alignments, thefollowing RSS equation can be used to calculate the average requiredalignment accuracy for each layer in order to obtain a 15 nm or betteralignment between all the highly electrically conductive electrodelayers.15 nm≧√{square root over (N·Δ _(s) ²)}, N=4

Δ_(s)≦7.5 nm

where N is the number of alignments, equal to 4 in the DPG devicesstructure, and Δ_(s) is the required alignment precision for each of thealignments of the electrode layers to one another. An alignmentprecision of better than 7.5 nm is extremely challenging even for themost sophisticated lithographic capabilities currently in existence.

In the self-aligned approach, the circular openings are automaticallyaligned to one another since the cylindrical trench 103 etch used tofabricate the DPG device 101 is performed using the same mask (top layerhighly electrically conductive hard mask) 224 and 310 for the entirehighly electrically conductive and weakly electrically conductive layerstack. When the etch is performed, all of the highly electricallyconductive layers can only be perfectly aligned to one-another. Only theoverlay alignment of the top highly electrically conductive layer 223and 310 to the bottom electrode layer 210 or 212, and 310 is importantand the required accuracy in this alignment is not very demanding sincethe device only requires that the cylindrical trench 103 completelyoverlays the bottom electrode 210 or 212 and 302. It is important tonote that this alignment of the top highly electrically conductive layer223 and 310 to the bottom highly electrically conductive electrode layer210 or 212 and 302 must also be performed in the non-self alignedapproach.

In short, the self-aligned fabrication approach (FIGS. 6 and 7) toimplementing the DPG device 101 structure offers many advantagesincluding: a reduction in the number of total fabrication steps in theprocess sequence; a large reduction in the number of expensivelithographic steps; no need for any expensive CMP steps; a simplerfabrication process; a higher yield with a commensurate lower cost; lessfabrication risk; higher device performance; and more consistentdevice-to-device performance. Importantly, all of these benefits thatresult from the self-aligned approach do not come at any additionalexpense.

We also claim an invention based on what we term the “advanced”self-aligned DPG device 101 that eliminates the need for a chargedissipating coating 225 in the pixels or columns 102 of the DPG device101.

Although we describe a DPG device 101 that is fabricated onto a CMOSsubstrate 200 it is noted that the DPG device 101 can also be fabricatedonto a blank substrate as well. This may be preferable if the DPG device101 array size 140 is relatively small and where the individualaddressing of the pixel 102 in the DPG device 101 can be done usingoff-DPG die electronics. Therefore, the DPG devices 101 and method ofimplementation described herein cover both the integrated—(i.e., DPGdevice 101 made on a CMOS or other suitable microelectronics substrate)and non-integrated DPG devices 101 (i.e., DPG device made on a non-CMOSor other microelectronics substrate).

Self-Aligned DPG Device

The self-aligned DPG device 101 design and method of fabricationinvolves a multiplicity of alternating weakly electrically conductiveinsulating intermediate layers 215, 216, 217 and 218 (if it is a 4-layerDPG device 101) and highly electrically conductive layers 220, 221, 222,and 223 (again if it is a 4-layer DPG device 101) on the top surface ofa suitable microelectronics substrate 200 (FIG. 3), without anylithography or etching of either the individual weakly electricallyconductive layers or the individual highly electrically conductivelayers after they are deposited in the area or location of the DPGdevice 101 where the array 140 of pixels 102 are located. As mentionedabove, this is unlike a non-self-aligned DPG device fabrication processwherein each highly electrically conductive layer subsequent to thebottom electrode layer has lithography and etching performed on it topattern circular openings entirely through the thickness of each highlyelectrically conductive layer.

Therefore, the key distinction between the non-self-aligned andself-aligned approaches to the fabrication of the DPG device 101, isneither the highly electrically conductive layers 220, 221, 222, and 223nor weakly electrically conductive intermediate layers 215, 216, 217,and 218 are etched in the location of the DPG array 140 of the DPGdevice 101 until the end of the fabrication process for the self-alignedDPG devices 101, whereas each highly electrically conductive layer isetched as the stack is built up with more and more layers in thenon-self-aligned DPG device. Consequently, the fabrication of thenon-self-aligned DPG device requires an extraordinary level of precisionon the layer-to-layer alignment in order to get the circular openings ineach highly electrically conductive electrode layer to align to oneanother. In comparison, the required precision from layer-to-layerregistration for the self-aligned DPG device is very relaxed.

The self-aligned DPG is typically fabricated onto a microelectronicssubstrate 200; that is, if the fabrication of the DPG device 101 is foran integrated DPG device, then the first step (FIG. 6.a) is to performone or more lithography and etching steps on the top layer(s) of themicroelectronics substrate 200 in order to open up vias 206 through thepassivation layer(s) 211 and 205 on the surface of the substrate 200 tothe underlying suitable highly electrically conductive layers 202 of themicroelectronics substrate 200 directly at the locations of the pixels102 in the DPG device 101 array (FIG. 6.b). The substrate 200 will havesome microelectronics devices 201 fabricated in the substrate 200 thatallow individual addressing of each of the pixels 102 in the DPG device102 array.

Subsequently, a highly electrically conductive layer 210 is depositedinto the vias 206 that is suitable for making good electrical contact tothe metal(s) 202 used in the microelectronics device 201 process (FIG.6.c) made onto the substrate 200. After forming these highlyelectrically conductive layers 210 through these vias 206, the surfaceof the highly electrically conductive layers 210 and the passivationlayers 211 on the surface of the microelectronics substrate 200 may havea Chemical-Mechanical Polishing (CMP) step performed in order toplanarize the surface of the substrate 200.

Subsequently, a highly electrically conductive layer 212 different fromthe via filling metal 210 may be deposited and have lithography andetching performed on it to form the bottom electrode layer in order tofacilitate the DPG device 101 functioning and fabrication (FIG. 6.d).Alternatively, upon depositing and patterning highly electricallyconductive layers 212, the surface of the highly electrically conductivelayers 212 and the passivation layers 211 on the surface of themicroelectronics substrate 200 may have a Chemical-Mechanical Polishing(CMP) step performed in order to planarize the surface of the substrate200.

Subsequently, a weakly electrically conductive intermediate layer 215 isdeposited onto the substrate 200 to form a continuous blanket layer tocoat the substrate 200 surface (FIG. 6.e). Although it is usually notneeded since the surface has already been planarized, this weaklyelectrically conductive layer 215 may have CMP performed on it toplanarize the surface of the weakly electrically conductive materiallayer prior to deposition of the next highly electrically conductivelayer in the stack in order to facilitate performing lithography andetching later in the fabrication process sequence.

Subsequently, in the integrated self-aligned DPG device 101 fabricationanother highly electrically conductive layer 220 is deposited on theexposed intermediate layer 215 surface of the substrate 200 (FIG. 6.f)and this highly electrically conductive layer 220 is referred to as aDPG device 101 electrode layer. This layer of highly electricallyconductive is deposited 220 as a continuous layer and may not havelithography and etching performed on it in the locations of the DPGdevice die 101 where the pixels are located.

In the integrated self-aligned DPG fabrication, next another blanketweakly electrically conductive intermediate layer 216 is deposited ontothe highly electrically conductive layer 220 to form a continuousblanket layer to coat the substrate surface 200 (FIG. 6.g).

Subsequently, in the integrated self-aligned DPG device 101 fabricationanother highly electrically conductive layer 221 is deposited on theexposed intermediate layer 216 surface of the substrate 200 (FIG. 6.h)and this highly electrically conductive layer 221 is referred to as aDPG device 101 electrode layer. This layer of highly electricallyconductive is deposited 221 as a continuous layer and does not havelithography and etching performed on it in the locations of the DPGdevice die 101 where the pixels are located.

Using this sequence of events, that is, depositing a weakly electricallyconductive intermediate layer 217 and 218, followed by a highlyelectrically conductive layer deposition 222 and 223, is repeated asmany times as required (FIGS. 6.i and 6.j) to obtain the number ofhighly electrically conductive layers and weakly electrically conductivelayers desired in the self-aligned DPG device 101 structure.Importantly, at this point only the bottom highly electricallyconductive layer 210 has been patterned and etched at the location ofwhere the DPG device array 140 is on the DPG die 101. That is, both themultiple highly electrically conductive layers 220, 221, and 222 and223, and weakly electrically conductive layers 215, 216, 217, and 218 inthe DPG device 101 layer stack are unpatterned and unetched at thelocation of where the DPG device array 140 is located.

After the last and topmost highly electrically conductive layer 223 isdeposited (FIG. 6.k), it has lithography performed on it, and is etchedto form circular openings 224 (FIG. 6.1) for the DPG array 140.Subsequently an Inductively-Coupled Plasma (ICP) etch or similaranisotropic etch is performed so as to etch through the entire stack ofweakly electrically conductive layers 215, 216, 217, and 218 and highlyelectrically conductive layers 220, 221, and 222 and stopping on thebottom highly electrically conductive layer 210 or 212 (FIG. 6.m) toform a cylindrical trench 103 at the locations of the DPG pixels 102.

The ICP etch used to form the cylindrical trenches preferably will becapable of a very high-aspect ratio etch through the stack of weaklyelectrically conductive layers 215, 216, 217, and 218 and highlyelectrically conductive material layers 220, 221, and 222.

Alternatively, the substrate is subsequently placed in a suitable ICP orRIE etch system to etch through the topmost weakly electricallyconductive intermediate layer 218, then placed into a suitable ICP orRIE etch system to etch through the highly electrically conductive layer222 below the topmost weakly electrically conductive intermediate layer,and then placed in a suitable ICP etch system to etch through the nextweakly electrically conductive intermediate layer 217, and on and on,until the bottom highly electrically conductive electrode layer 210 or212 has been reached.

It should be noted that an additional masking material layer (not shownin FIG. 6) may be deposited and patterned into the shape of the circularopenings 224 on top of the highly electrically conductive layer 223 toact as a better protection during the cylindrical hole etch.

The material choices for the deposited highly electrically conductivelayers 210, 212, 220, 221, 222, and 223 can include: platinum;Titanium-Tungsten; Aluminum; Titanium; Nickel; Copper, and other metals.Alternatively, a conductive semiconductor (e.g., doped Silicon,Germanium, etc.) or electrically conductive ceramic material layers(e.g., Titanium-Nitride) can also be used for the highly electricallyconductive electrode layers.

The highly electrically conductive layers can be deposited by physicalvapor deposition (PVD), either evaporation or sputtering, as well asChemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) as well as Atomic Layer Deposition(ALD). The top most highly electrically conductive layer can also bedeposited using electroplating into a suitably defined polymer mold thatcan be subsequently removed in which case the top most highlyelectrically conductive layer is defined by the polymer mold and no etchof the top most highly electrically conductive layer is required.

A silicon dioxide (SiO2) can be used as the weakly electricallyconductive intermediate layers 215, 216, 217 and 218 between the highlyelectrically conductive electrode layers 220, 221, 222, and 223.However, other weakly electrically conductive materials can be used forthe intermediate layers 215, 216, 217, and 218 as well including:silicon nitride; oxy-nitride; as well as any high-quality and weaklyelectrically conductive materials such as dielectrics and insulators.

The method of deposition for the SiO2 layer is plasma-enhancedchemical-vapor deposition (PECVD), although other methods of depositioncan be used as well including, evaporation, sputtering, Atomic LayerDeposition (ALD) and spin-on deposition for either SiO2 layer depositionor other materials layer depositions.

The weakly electrically conductive layers 215, 216, 217, and 218 andhighly electrically conductive layers 220, 221, 222, and 223 will havelithography and etch performed on them to form electrical connectionsbetween the appropriate highly electrically conductive electrode layersin the DPG device 101 to the microelectronics 201 fabricated on thesubstrate 200. This will be done at a location away from where the DPGdevice array 140 is located on the DPG device die 101. This lithographyand etching on this highly electrically conductive layer can be doneprior to deposition of each weakly electrically conductive intermediate215, 216, 217, and 218 and highly electrically conductive layer 220,221, 222, and 223 or later in the fabrication process sequence.Importantly, this lithography and etching does not require highresolution or exact alignment registration tolerances since it isperformed at a location distance from where the DPG devices 102 arelocated in the DPG array 140 on the DPG device die 101

The etching of the highly electrically conductive layers in the DPGstructure performed during the DPG device fabrication at locations awayfrom the DPG array will depend on the type of highly electricallyconductive material layer used and the resolution and fidelity required.Reactive ion etching (RIE) is the preferred method to etch the highlyelectrically conductive layers. In the case of some highly electricallyconductive material layers, such as Platinum, the material layer may bepatterned using lift-off wherein a photoresist is deposited prior to thedeposition of the highly electrically conductive material layer and thenthe highly electrically conductive material layer is deposited, thephotoresist is lifted off (along with the highly electrically conductivematerial layer deposited on top of the photoresist), thereby leaving thehighly electrically conductive material layer only in the locationswhere it was directly deposited onto the underlying, non-photoresistlayer. Also, for some highly electrically conductive material layers forwhich plasma etch technology for that highly electrically conductivematerial layer is not available, ion milling can also be used to patternthe highly electrically conductive material layer.

The etching of the weakly electrically conductive layers away from theDPG device array can be performed using plasma, reactive ion etching(RIE), lift-off, ion milling, etc. However, it is preferable to use RIEetching to etch the weakly electrically conductive layers. The type ofplasma chemistry used will depend on the type of weakly electricallyconductive material that is to be etched.

A separate metallization onto the contact pads 142 of the self-alignedDPG device die 101 may be performed to assist in wire-bonding or otherappropriate packaging technique. Before packaging, the self-aligned DPGdevice 101 substrate is diced and cleaned. Subsequently, a chargedissipating coating 225 is deposited onto the self-aligned DPG devicedie (FIG. 6.n). This coating is conformal across the entire die surface101, preferably providing a uniform coating on the sidewalls and bottomof the cylindrical trenches 103. At present, this charge dissipatingcoating is performed using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and the coatinghas a sheet resistance as specified in Table 1.

In the present embodiment Platinum (Pt) is used for the base layer 210or 212 and the top highly electrically conductive layer 223 is Nickel(Ni). Titanium (Ti) is being used for the interior (between the base andtop metal layers) metal layers 220, 221, and 222. The Pt and Ti layerscan be deposited by physical vapor deposition (PVD), either evaporationor sputtering. The Ni layer can also be deposited by evaporation orsputtering as well as electroplating.

The etching used to pattern each of these highly electrically conductivelayers depends on the type of highly electrically conductive materiallayers used and the location of the etching. Specifically, the Ti layersin the self-aligned process are preferably etched during the final ICPetch to form the cylindrical trenches of the DPG using the same etchsystem as for the insulating layers.

The patterning of the Ti layers for implementing the electricalinterconnects to the underlying CMOS or microelectronics 201 on thesubstrate 200 and away from the cylindrical trenches 103 can beperformed using plasma etching, lift-off, or ion milling. The patterningof the bottom Pt electrode layer for implementing the electricalinterconnects to the underlying CMOS or microelectronics 201 on thesubstrate 200 can be performed using plasma etching, lift-off, or ionmilling. The patterning of the top Ni electrode layer for implementingthe electrical interconnects to the underlying CMOS or microelectronics201 on the substrate can be performed using plasma etching, lift-off,ion milling, or in the case of electroplating will be appropriatelypatterned once the resist mold is removed.

Each of these highly electrically conductive layers 210, 212, 220, 221,222, and 223 may use a different highly electrically conductive materiallayer to make contact to the appropriate highly electrically conductivelayers on the underlying CMOS or microelectronics 201 on the substrate200.

Although we describe a DPG device employing a bottom Pt electrode layer,a multiplicity of intermediate electrode layers made of Ti, and a topelectrode layer of Ni, other combinations or types of highlyelectrically conductive material layers can be used in the DPG device asdesired. For example, the material choices for the deposited highlyelectrically conductive layers can include: platinum; Titanium-Tungsten;Aluminum; Titanium; Nickel; Copper, and others.

The type of photolithography used to pattern the top-most highlyelectrically conductive layer 223 can be either e-beam or deepultra-violet (DUV) lithography. The patterning of the highlyelectrically conductive interconnect layers 220, 221, and 222 away fromthe cylindrical trenches can be e-beam, projection, or contactphotolithography.

All process steps used for the fabrication of the self-alignedintegrated DPG devices 101 are done at relatively low processtemperatures, namely below 400 C, and therefore the fabrication processis compatible with microelectronics or CMOS integration. That is, theprocess sequence for the self-aligned advanced DPG device is done onmicroelectronic or CMOS wafers without degradation of themicroelectronics or CMOS.

Although the DPG device 101 is typically fabricated onto amicroelectronics 201 substrate 200, the DPG device 101 can also befabricated onto a substrate 300 (FIG. 7) without electronics as well. Inthis case, the fabrication sequence is similar to that described for theintegrated DPG device 101, except the starting substrate 300 has noelectronics on it and will typically be composed of a blanksemiconductor wafer, such as Silicon, although other materials andsubstrate types can be used as well including: other semiconductorsubstrates (e.g. Germanium, SiC, etc.), dielectrics (e.g., Al2O3, SiO2,etc.), ceramics, and metals. If a conductive substrate 300 material typeis used, then an insulating material layer 301 will be deposited as afirst step. This material layer 301 can be from any material that iselectrically insulating including, SiO2, SiN, etc. and can be depositedonto the substrate 300 by any means including CVD, PVD, lamination, andthermal oxidation.

As with the integrated self-aligned DPG device 101 fabrication, thenon-integrated DPG device is fabricated by a sequential deposition ofalternating layers of weakly electrically conductive intermediate layers303, 305, 307 and 309 and highly electrically conductive layers 304,306, 308 and 310 on the substrate 300 (FIG. 7). And, as before, theselayers 303, 305, 307, 309, 304, 306, 308 and 310 have no lithography andetching performed on them in the locations of the DPG device die 101where the DPG pixels 102 are located in the DPG array 140.

A bottom electrode layer 302 is deposited onto the substrate 300 andpatterned and etched into the shape of the bottom electrode 302 of theDPG device 101 design (FIG. 7.a). Then a sequential layer of alternatinglayers of weakly electrically conductive intermediate layers 303, 305,307, and 309 and highly electrically conductive electrode layers 304,306, 308 and 310 are deposited as continuous blanket layers onto thesubstrate 300 (FIGS. 7.b through 7.i).

Then the top most highly electrically conductive electrode layer 310 ispatterned and etched to form circular openings 311 (FIG. 7.j).Subsequently, a reactive ion etch, preferably of a ICP etch type isperformed (FIG. 7.k) to etch through the weakly electrically conductiveintermediate layers 309, 307, 305 and 303 as well as the highlyelectrically conductive electrode layers 308, 306 and 304 to stop on thebottom electrode layer 302 thereby forming the cylindrical trench 103 ofthe DPG pixel 102 of the DPG device 101 array 140.

The ICP etch process used to form the cylindrical trenches preferablywill be capable of a very high-aspect ratio etch through the stack ofweakly electrically conductive intermediate layers 309, 307, 305 and 303and highly electrically conductive material layers 308, 306 and 304.

Alternatively, the substrate is subsequently placed in a suitable RIE orICP etch system to etch through the topmost weakly electricallyconductive intermediate layer 309, then placed into a suitable RIE orICP etch system to etch through the highly electrically conductive layer308 below the topmost weakly electrically conductive intermediate layer,and then placed in a suitable RIE or ICP etch system to etch through thenext weakly electrically conductive intermediate layer 307, and on andon, until the bottom electrode layer 302 has been reached.

It should be noted that an additional masking material layer (not shownin FIG. 7) may be deposited and patterned into the shape of the circularopenings 311 on top of the highly electrically conductive layer 310 toact as a better protection during the RIE or ICP etch.

The material choices for the deposited highly electrically conductivelayers 302, 304, 306, 308 and 310 can include: platinum;Titanium-Tungsten; Aluminum; Titanium; Nickel; Copper, and other metals.Alternatively, a conductive semiconductor (e.g., doped Silicon,Germanium, etc.) or electrically conductive ceramic material layers(e.g., Titanium-Nitride) can also be used for the highly electricallyconductive electrode layers.

The highly electrically conductive layers can be deposited by physicalvapor deposition (PVD), either evaporation or sputtering, as well asChemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) as well as Atomic Layer Deposition(ALD). The top most highly electrically conductive layer can also bedeposited using electroplating into a suitably defined polymer mold thatcan be subsequently removed in which case the top most highlyelectrically conductive layer is defined by the polymer mold and no etchof the top most highly electrically conductive layer is required.

A silicon dioxide (SiO2) is used as the weakly electrically conductiveintermediate layers 303, 305, 307, and 309 between the highlyelectrically conductive electrode layers 304, 306, 308 and 310. However,other weakly electrically conductive materials can be used for theintermediate layers 303, 305, 307, and 309 as well including: siliconnitride; oxy-nitride; as well as any high-quality weakly electricallyconductive materials such as dielectrics and insulators. The method ofdeposition for the SiO2 layer is plasma-enhanced chemical-vapordeposition (PECVD), although other methods of deposition can be used aswell including, evaporation, sputtering, Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD)and spin-on deposition for either SiO2 layer deposition or othermaterials layer depositions.

The weakly electrically conductive layers 303, 305, 307, and 309 andhighly electrically conductive layers 304, 306, 308, and 310 will havelithography and etching performed on them to form electrical connectionsbetween the appropriate highly electrically conductive electrode layers302, 304, 306, 308 and 310 in the DPG device 101 to the electricalinterconnects 141 that run to the bond pads 142 at the edge of the DPGdevice die 101 on the substrate 300. This will be done at a locationaway from where the DPG device array 140 is located on the DPG devicedie 101. This lithography and etching on this highly electricallyconductive layer can be done prior to deposition of each weaklyelectrically conductive intermediate 303, 305, 307, and 309 and highlyelectrically conductive layer 302, 304, 306, 308 and 310 or later in thefabrication process sequence. Importantly, this lithography and etchingdoes not require high resolution or exact alignment registrationtolerances since it is performed at a location distance from where theDPG devices 102 are located in the DPG array 140 on the DPG device die101

The etching of the highly electrically conductive layers in the DPGstructure performed during the DPG device fabrication at locations awayfrom the DPG array will depend on the type of material and theresolution and fidelity required. Reactive ion etching (RIE) is thepreferred method to etch these layers. In the case of some materials,such as Platinum, the material may be patterned using lift-off wherein aphotoresist is deposited prior to the deposition of the material andthen the material layer is deposited, the photoresist is lifted off(along with the material layer deposited on top of the photoresist),thereby leaving material layer only in the locations where it wasdirectly deposited onto the underlying, non-photoresist layer. Also, forsome material layers for which a plasma etch technology for thatmaterial layer is not available, ion milling can also be used to patternthe layer.

The etching of the weakly electrically conductive layers away from theDPG device array can be performed using plasma, reactive ion etching(RIE), lift-off, ion milling, etc. However, it is preferable to use RIEetching to etch the weakly electrically conductive layers. The type ofplasma chemistry used will depend on the type of weakly electricallyconductive material that is to be etched.

A separate metallization onto the contact pads 142 of the self-alignedDPG device die 101 may be performed to assist in wire-bonding or otherappropriate packaging technique. Before packaging, the self-aligned DPGdevice 101 substrate is diced and cleaned. Subsequently, a chargedissipating coating 225 is deposited onto the self-aligned DPG devicedie (FIG. 7.l). This coating is conformal across the entire die surface101, preferably providing a uniform coating on the sidewalls and bottomof the cylindrical trenches 103. At present, this charge dissipatingcoating is performed using Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and the coatinghas a sheet resistance as specified in Table 1.

In the present embodiment Platinum (Pt) metal is used for the base layer302 and the top metal layer 310 is Nickel (Ni). Titanium (Ti) is beingused for the interior (between the base and top metal layers) metallayers 304, 306 and 308. The Pt and Ti layers can be deposited byphysical vapor deposition (PVD), either evaporation or sputtering. TheNi layer can also be deposited by evaporation or sputtering as well aselectroplating.

The etching used to pattern each of the highly electrically conductivelayers depends on the type of highly electrically conductive layer usedand the location of the etching. Specifically, the Ti layers in theself-aligned process are preferably etched during the final ICP etch toform the cylindrical trenches of the DPG using the same etch system asfor the weakly electrically conductive material layers.

The patterning of the Ti layers for implementing the electricalconnections to the underlying interconnects 141 on the substrate 300 andto the bond pads 142 away from the cylindrical trenches 103 DPG devicearray 140 can be performed using plasma etching, lift-off, or ionmilling. The patterning of the bottom Pt electrode layer 302 forimplementing the electrical interconnects 141 to the bond pads 142 onthe substrate 300 can be performed using plasma etching, lift-off, orion milling. The patterning of the top Ni electrode layer 310 forimplementing the electrical interconnects to the bond pads 142 on thesubstrate 300 can be performed using plasma etching, lift-off, ionmilling, or in the case of electroplating will be appropriatelypatterned once the resist mold is removed.

Each of these highly electrically conductive layers 302, 304, 306, 308and 310 may use a different highly electrically conductive materiallayer for each layer in the stack, as well as a different highlyelectrically conductive material layer to make electrical interconnectsbetween the electrodes 302, 304, 306, 308 and 310 in the DPG device 101and the bond pads 142 on the substrate 300.

Although we describe a DPG device employing a bottom Pt electrode layer,a multiplicity of intermediate electrode layers made of Ti, and a topelectrode layer of Ni, other combinations or types of highlyelectrically conductive materials can be used in the DPG device asdesired. For example, the material choices for the deposited highlyelectrically conductive layers can include: platinum; Titanium-Tungsten;Aluminum; Titanium; Nickel; Copper, and others.

The type of photolithography used to pattern the top-most highlyelectrically conductive layer 310 can be either e-beam or deepultra-violet (DUV) lithography. The patterning of the highlyelectrically conductive interconnect layers 302, 304, 306, and 308 awayfrom the cylindrical trenches can be e-beam, projection, or contactphotolithography.

Charge Dissipating Coating in Self Aligned DPG Device

As described above, upon complete fabrication of the DPG device 101 asper FIGS. 6 and 7, a very thin ALD coating 225 is required to coverprimarily the interior surfaces of the columns in the device. Thepurpose of the coating is to prevent a build-up of electrical chargefrom the incoming electrons on the weakly electrically conductivesurfaces in the columns 102, which would adversely affect the electricalfield structure meant to control the electrons in the device.

However, an unreasonably short device lifetime can result from the lowreliability of this charge dissipating coating layer 225 that isattributed to the inability of the ALD coating to properly discharge theincoming electrons in sustained fashion over extended periods ofexposure to the electron beam. This failure might develop as a result ofstructural changes, electrical breakdown, and/or ablation in the ALDlayer 225 due to high field strengths across the layer and localizedheating associated with the electron bombardment and current dissipationwithin the layer 225. Moreover, a coating and material that can sustainoperating conditions long enough to allow for useful utilization of theDPG device 101 in an actual patterning process may not be feasible.

Therefore, an alternate embodiment of the DPG device 101 that eliminatesthe ALD coating or any charge dissipating coating or layer 225 and yetstill allows the charge to be dissipated, while meeting all the device101 electrical and dimensional performance specifications has beeninvented and is described below.

Self-Aligned Advanced DPG Device

The self-aligned advanced DPG device 101 is designed to eliminate theneed for the charge dissipating coating 225. The key aspect in theadvanced DPG device 101 that will allow the charge dissipating layer 225to be eliminated is the replacement of the intermediate weaklyelectrically conductive layers (215, 216, 217 and 218 in FIGS. 6 and303, 305, 307 and 309 in FIG. 7) in the structure with a highresistivity material. Ideally, the material resistivity is such that theincoming electrons in the DPG device 101 columns 103 incur an electricalfield structure identical to that of a functional ALD coating 225 on theregular DPG devices 101. In other words, the electrical conduction ofthe intermediate layer mirrors or emulates that of the ALD coating 225in the current DPG devices 101.

There are numerous thin film materials that can be used as theintermediate layer in the advanced DPG device 101, and that are alsocompatible with the overall fabrication approach of the self-aligned DPGdevice 101. One set of candidate materials for this purpose aresemiconductors (such as Silicon or Germanium), which in their purecrystalline form are very poor electrical conductors, but when depositedin thin films by evaporation or sputtering allow for electricalconduction along grain boundaries. By carefully adjusting depositionconditions, it is possible to control the grain size and oxidation levelin the film, and thereby the effective film resistivity. A material likeSilicon is readily integrated into the self-aligned or non-self-alignedDPG fabrication sequences.

Importantly, using silicon in the advanced DPG device 101 as theintermediate layers allows a higher aspect ratio ICP etch technology tobe used for the cylindrical trench etch thereby simplifying thefabrication, improving device 101 performance, as well as lowering themanufacturing cost.

The self-aligned advanced integrated DPG fabrication is described inFIG. 6, except each of the intermediate layers 215, 216, 217 and 218that were made of a weakly electrically conductive material are replacedin the process sequence with a deposited high resistivity materiallayer.

As before, as many alternating layers are deposited in the stack asdesired to obtain the required performance and based on the intendedapplication. Subsequently, the top layer highly electrically conductive223 is patterned using photolithography to form circular openings 224(FIG. 6.l) and a through-layer etch (FIG. 6.m) to open up the openingswhere the DPG pixels 102, namely the cylindrical trenches 103 will belocated is performed. Next, an ICP high-aspect ratio etch is performedto form the cylindrical trenches and stopping on the bottom electrodelayer (FIG. 6.m). Obviously, the deposition of a charge dissipatingcoating 225 is omitted in the fabrication of the advanced self-alignedDPG device 101.

The same candidate highly electrically conductive layers used andmethods of deposition and etching can be used for the highlyelectrically conductive electrode layers in the advanced self-alignedDPG device as were described in the self-aligned DPG device 101.

In the present embodiment semiconductors, such as silicon or germanium,are used as the high resistivity material for the intermediate layersbetween the highly electrically conductive layers. However, other highresistivity materials can be used as well for these intermediate layers.

The intermediate layers can be deposited by means of ion-assistedevaporation, sputtering, as well as other methods of deposition.

The resistivity of the deposited intermediate layers can be variedduring deposition by back-filling the process chamber with oxygen toproperly tune the intermediate layer resistivity. Additionally, otherdeposition process parameters can also be varied to tune the resistivityincluding: deposition temperature; deposition rate; etc.

Based on the DPG requirements stated in Table 1, a target required bulkresistivity of the intermediate layer is 2*10⁴ ohm-cm. Using anintermediate layer with a resistivity of this amount results in anadvanced DPG device 101 with similar electrical characteristics to thatof a device 101 with weakly electrically conductive intermediate layersand an ALD conductive charge dissipating coating in the columns. Notethat the power due to Joule heating between the electrode layers byreplacing the intermediate layer with a material having this resistivitywould be less than a few tens of milliWatts over the entire array andtherefore would be insignificant.

If the intermediate layer materials are silicon or germanium, a suitableplasma etch chemistry for the column etch composed of a SF₆ chemistry ora chlorine-based chemistry can be employed to etch the DPG columns 103.To achieve high aspect ratios in the cylindrical trench etches, anInductively-Coupled Plasma (ICP) etch system may be used such as theso-called “Bosch” Deep Reactive Ion Etch (DRIE) process.

All process steps used for the fabrication of the self-aligned advancedDPG devices 101 are done at relatively low process temperatures, namelybelow 400 C, and therefore the fabrication process is compatible withCMOS integration. That is, the process sequence for the self-alignedadvanced DPG device is done on CMOS wafers without degradation of theCMOS.

Like the fabrication of the self-aligned DPG device 101 made with weaklyelectrically conductive intermediate layers, the processing steps andmaterials to make electrical interconnects from the DPG devices 102 tothe bond pads 142 can be done in similar fashion.

An advanced non-integrated DPG device 101 can also be implemented andwill follow the process sequence outlined in FIG. 7 except the weaklyelectrically conductive intermediate layers 303, 305, 307 and 309 arereplaced with high resistivity material layers and as with theintegrated advanced self-aligned DPG device, all the other processingand materials are similar except that a DRIE ICP etch can be used toimplement the DPG columns 103 and the charge dissipating coating orlayer 225 is not deposited onto the device 101.

While the invention has been described in connection with what ispresently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment,it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to thedisclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is intended to cover variousmodifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dynamic pattern generator device for modulatingat least one electron beam used for electron-beam imaging ordirect-write lithography, the device comprising: a substrate, aplurality of alternating high resistivity material and highlyelectrically conducting layers deposited on the substrate, a pluralityof pixels forming an array of pixels for modulating electron beams, eachpixel being a cylindrical-shaped trench formed in the plurality ofalternating high resistivity material and highly electrically conductinglayers deposited on the substrate and having an electrode in the form ofa highly electrically conductive pad at the bottom of the trench, aplurality of inter-trench separating walls located between the pluralityof pixels, and wherein the size of the active device area and the numberof pixels forming the array of pixels in the active device areadetermines a number of electron beams that can be modulated by thedynamic pattern generator device and thereby a rate of electron-beamimaging or direct writing rate of the dynamic pattern generator device,and wherein the high resistivity material layers eliminate a need for acharge dissipating coating on interior surfaces of the pixels in thedevice to prevent a build-up of electrical charge from incomingelectrons on insulating surfaces in the pixels, the highly electricallyconducting layers being formed from materials selected from metals,conductive semiconductor materials and conductive ceramic materials, thehigh resistivity material being formed from non-metal materials,including semiconductor materials.
 2. The dynamic pattern generatordevice of claim 1, wherein the array of pixels is contained in an activedevice area of the substrate.
 3. The dynamic pattern generator device ofclaim 1, wherein the pixels are micron-scale pixels.
 4. The dynamicpattern generator device of claim 1, wherein the bottom electrodes haveconductive protection layer on top to prevent corrosion of theelectrodes and for making electrical contact to the electrodes.
 5. Thedynamic pattern generator device of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of highly electrically conducting layers is a metal.
 6. Thedynamic pattern generator device of claim 1, wherein each of theplurality of high resistivity layers is a semiconductor material, suchas silicon or germanium.
 7. The dynamic pattern generator device ofclaim 1, wherein a resolution level of the electron-beam imaging anddirect-wire lithography provided by the dynamic pattern generator deviceis determined by the number of high resistivity and highly electricallyconducting layers deposited on the substrate.
 8. The dynamic patterngenerator device of claim 1, wherein a fineness of the resolution of theelectron-beam imaging and direct-write lithography provided by thedynamic pattern generator device is determined by the number of highresistivity and highly electrically conducting layers deposited on thesubstrate.
 9. The dynamic pattern generator device of claim 1, whereineach of the highly electrically conductive layers is a metalapproximately 100-nm thick.
 10. The dynamic pattern generator device ofclaim 1, wherein each of the high resistivity layers has a thickness inthe range of 0.5 to 1.0 microns.
 11. The dynamic pattern generatordevice of claim 1, wherein the array of pixels comprises an array of4375 by 625 pixels.
 12. The dynamic pattern generator device of claim 1further comprising a plurality of bond pads formed on the substrate, anda plurality of electrical interconnects connecting the pixel bottomelectrodes and the plurality of highly electrically conducting layers tothe plurality of bond pads.
 13. The dynamic pattern generator device ofclaim 1 further comprising a plurality of microelectronic devicesfabricated on the substrate for addressing the pixels forming the arrayof pixels.
 14. The dynamic pattern generator device of claim 13, whereinthe microelectronic devices are located underneath the active devicearea of the substrate.
 15. The dynamic pattern generator device of claim14, wherein the microelectronic devices have electrical connectionsbetween the bottom electrodes of individual pixels and electricalconnections to each of the highly electrically conductive layers. 16.The dynamic pattern generator device of claim 13, wherein themicroelectronic devices are CMOS electronic devices, wherein each pixeldevice in the array of pixels has an active array of 4096 by 248, andwherein any pixels not driven by the CMOS electronic devices are used as“buffer” pixels to mitigate edge effects.
 17. The dynamic patterngenerator device of claim 1, wherein the substrate is a blank substrateand where individual addressing of the pixels in the array of pixels isdone using off-substrate electronics.
 18. The dynamic pattern generatordevice of claim 5, wherein the metal layers are formed from Platinum,Titanium-Tungsten, Aluminum, Titanium, Nickel, or Copper.
 19. Thedynamic pattern generator device of claim 5, wherein the highlyconductive layers are formed from a conductive semiconductor material,including Silicon and Germanium, or a ceramic material, includingTitanium-Nitride.